C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Oily substance leaking INTO car at steering

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-23-2013, 08:48 PM
  #1  
BadMedcn
Racer
Thread Starter
 
BadMedcn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: NV
Posts: 369
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts

Default Oily substance leaking INTO car at steering

So, while continuing my hunt for electrical gremlins, I discovered the following oily substance dripping down inside the cockpit from the steering shaft. Anyone have an idea what this might be from?
Attached Images  
Old 02-23-2013, 09:07 PM
  #2  
BadMedcn
Racer
Thread Starter
 
BadMedcn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: NV
Posts: 369
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

BTW the picture was posted upside down....but that is the steering wheel position sensor. It almost abuts with the firewall.
Old 02-24-2013, 03:34 AM
  #3  
RonSSNova
Safety Car
 
RonSSNova's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2011
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 4,245
Received 322 Likes on 263 Posts

Default

Possibly brake fluid? Can you check around the back of the brake booster/master cylinder?
Old 02-24-2013, 11:58 AM
  #4  
BadMedcn
Racer
Thread Starter
 
BadMedcn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: NV
Posts: 369
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

My thought as well as it seems to be the only fluid containing area nearby. I'll check the booster today and post.
BTW check out my post on "Gremlins", I've added a few posts.
Thanks RonSSNova
Old 02-24-2013, 03:36 PM
  #5  
f6john
Melting Slicks
 
f6john's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2008
Location: Richmond, Ky
Posts: 2,850
Received 223 Likes on 146 Posts

Default

Blinker fluid??? Bump for you I'm curious too.
Old 02-24-2013, 05:53 PM
  #6  
tentuna
Drifting
 
tentuna's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,645
Received 65 Likes on 54 Posts

Default

I think that residual lub from the telescoping column, if it's dry bingo don't worry
Old 02-24-2013, 06:02 PM
  #7  
seattle
Burning Brakes
 
seattle's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2001
Location: Surprise AZ
Posts: 874
Likes: 0
Received 39 Likes on 29 Posts

Default

Has anyone sprayed lube in that area to try and quiet down a squeaky steering column?
Old 02-24-2013, 06:42 PM
  #8  
BadMedcn
Racer
Thread Starter
 
BadMedcn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: NV
Posts: 369
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Good thoughts. My mechanic had the car for awhile. I will ask him if he lubricated the column. I used a fiber optic scope to check the engine bay and there are no leaks. The steering column is shiny like new (and its a 2001) and find no leakage at brake master. So I wiped it up and will ask about lubricant. Will post when I have more. Thanks guys!
Old 05-22-2018, 08:51 PM
  #9  
Hillel
Cruising
 
Hillel's Avatar
 
Member Since: Dec 2013
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Results?

I realize this thread was posted 5 years ago, but there was no follow-up discovery posted. I have the same leak in my 2002 C5, but the brakes and steering work fine, the pedal movement is the same and the brake fluid remains at the max line, despite the drip line of lubricant and 3 inch diameter stain on the carpet. Did anyone ever find the cause/solution with their own C5?

Thanks in advance for sharing your wisdom and time!
Old 05-23-2018, 11:08 AM
  #10  
BadMedcn
Racer
Thread Starter
 
BadMedcn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Aug 2002
Location: NV
Posts: 369
Received 11 Likes on 6 Posts

Default

Funny.....it still is directing instant email after all this time. Anyway, one of our brothers had mentioned it was likely original lube from the telescoping column. I think he was right. Also, recently I had to replace the steering wheel position sensor and had the whole column out. Nothing out of the ordinary or signs of leakage. Have not had brake issues. Lastly, the material was grease like as opposed to something like brake fluid. I cleaned it off.....nothing has returned. Hope that helps.

Get notified of new replies

To Oily substance leaking INTO car at steering




Quick Reply: Oily substance leaking INTO car at steering



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:10 AM.